Stonehaven entertained Ellon on Sunday in the semi final of the League Cup

Thistle were luck to be playing the game following a huge downpour at 9.45 on Sunday morning, fortunately the groundsman Dave Long, skipper Clive Hinchcliffe and Ali Milroy ( and Father) were all close enough to get the covers on before the pitch was soaked and play remained possible.

Ellon won the toss and for the second time in the weekend Thistle saw themselves getting first use of the track.

Keith and Milroy opened the batting and started at a brisk pace as they found the gaps with some excellent batting. Pushing the score to 45 off the first 10 overs before Keith (29) was caught at gully from Grennfield’s first delivery of the day. Milroy (15) followed next over and 2 new batsmen were at the crease in the form of Dominic Cruickshank and Andy Kemp. Cruickshank failed to produce the same form as Saturday when he score 91 for the second team and was bowled for 8. Kemp (13) following 2 overs later to a slower ball that everyone on the park picked except the batsman. The score now on 74 for 4 from 21 overs a decent total looked on the cards with more batting in the hutch. The skipper decided to put in some of the big hitters and told them to free their arms. Barry Milne hit his 3rd ball for 6 but quickly realised he would have to calm down and play a patient innings as C Van De Ruit (4) &  B Snelling (8)  came and went. James Crozier hung around for a patient 2 before the opening bowler S White bowled him. The skipper came in and failed to trouble the scores as the umpire gave him out LBW despite a thick inside edge. A Long scored a quick 5 leaving D Garden not out Thistle total 107 all out.

Ellon came into bat looking to ensure the runs were scored as quickly as possible and this fell nicely into the hands of the Thistle bowlers. Chris Van De Ruit  the having opener caught behind by Milroy in his second over with the score on 11. Hinchcliife had a good shout for LBW turned down and as often happens the next ball was crashed to the boundary by Borslap, the bowler however had the last laugh as Borslap was bowled next ball. The bowling change came after 12 overs but not before Chris picked up another 2 wickets firstly having the dangerous Barrett caught by Snelling in an excellent catch on mid wicket, secondly having Woolridge-Gordon caught behind (score 49 for 4).

 Thistle knew Ellon bat well down the order and need to take wickets on a regular basis as there was not enough runs on the board to defend for the full 40 over. The skipper decided to leave Van De Ruit bowling for the full 10 over spell and he did not disappoint as he picked up his 4th wicket of the day (4 for 31) as S White was caught and bowled. B Snelling bowled an unlucky spell of 5 over for no wicket. A Long replaced Chris and took a wicket in his second over as he turned the table on Watson and bowled him with a straight ball. James Crozier bowled a decent first ever spell for the 1st team but the breakthrough never came. Hinchcliffe  (2 for 25) came back on but it was too little too late as Greenfield was caught off the 3rd ball. With just